Italian Mafia Movies

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather follows the story of the Corleone family, a powerful and influential Italian American crime family headed by the aging Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). When a rival gang seeks to take control of the family’s business, Don Vito must rely on his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino), to step up and protect the family’s legacy. As Michael takes the reins, he is forced to make difficult choices between family loyalty and justice. Michael must also confront the increasing power of the Sicilian Mafia and its leader, Don Tommasino, as well as the personal threats from a rival gang member and a corrupt police officer. As the story progresses, loyalty and vengeance become intertwined, leading to a powerful climax.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II follows the story of Michael Corleone, the head of a powerful crime family in New York. The film examines the life of Michael as he attempts to expand his family’s power and influence. At the same time, the film follows the story of Michael’s father Vito, from his childhood in Sicily to his rise to power in America. The two storylines are interwoven, creating a complex and compelling narrative. The Godfather Part II won multiple Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is an Academy Award-winning crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, which chronicles the lives of three mobsters, Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). Starting in the 1950s, the film follows the trio as they work their way up the ranks of the Lucchese crime family in New York City. But as their power and wealth increases, so does their paranoia, and the consequences of their actions become increasingly dire. Through a combination of intense performances, breathtaking cinematography, and a vivid portrayal of the criminal underworld, Goodfellas is a powerful exploration of loyalty, violence, and ambition.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods
Rated R

Casino is a 1995 American epic crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, and Joe Pesci. The film is based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the film. The film follows the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro), a Jewish American gambler and mob associate, who is sent to Las Vegas in order to oversee the activities of the Tangiers Casino. He is soon caught up in the volatile and dangerous environment of the casino, and finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Mob and the FBI. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Ginger McKenna (Stone), a former prostitute, and also faces off with his childhood friend and mob enforcer, Nicky Santoro (Pesci). The film offers a unique glimpse into the depths of organized crime and its criminal underworld, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of the 1990s. Casino is a violent, action-packed exploration of power and greed, and shows the consequences of ambition and avarice.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma and based on the real-life story of Eliot Ness and his team of law enforcement agents who brought down Al Capone. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the film follows Ness as he assembles a team of incorruptible agents and takes on Capone's criminal empire. With the help of a veteran Irish-American cop and a rookie Italian-American officer, Ness is determined to dismantle Capone's operations and bring him to justice. The film stars Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery and Andy Garcia with Charles Martin Smith, Brad Sullivan and Jack Kehoe. The Untouchables was a commercial and critical success, earning accolades for its performances, direction, cinematography, and story, and was nominated for four Academy Awards.

From Robert De Niro, starring Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato, Francis Capra
Rated R

A Bronx Tale is a 1993 American crime drama film directed by Robert De Niro, and based on a stage play written by Chazz Palminteri. The film tells the story of Calogero Anello, an Italian-American boy from the Bronx, who is caught between the temptations of organized crime and the values of hard work and education. The film follows Calogero as he matures into adulthood, as he struggles to reconcile his own ambitions with the expectations of his traditional Italian-American father and his new found friendship with a local mob boss. Along the way Calogero must make difficult decisions regarding loyalty, family, and morality. The stellar cast includes Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato Jr., Joe Pesci, and Francis Capra.

From Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby
Rated R

Donnie Brasco is a 1997 crime drama directed by Mike Newell and starring Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, and Michael Madsen. The film follows undercover FBI Agent Joe Pistone, who infiltrates the mob in New York City by posing as jeweler Donnie Brasco. As he gains the trust of Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), a small-time mobster, Pistone finds himself torn between his loyalty to the bureau and his growing bond with the mobsters he's investigating. In the end, he must choose between his undercover identity and his true identity in order to keep his newfound friendships intact. Ultimately, Donnie Brasco is a story about loyalty, friendship, and the cost of loyalty in the face of a life-threatening situation.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, Talia Shire
Rated R

The Godfather Part III follows the aging Don Michael Corleone as he attempts to make amends for his past while attempting to expand his business. He finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between his family and a long time rival, the Vatican. Meanwhile, his adopted son, Vincent Mancini, becomes a rival for the Don's attention and affection as he rises in the ranks of the Corleone family. As the film progresses, Michael's attempts to legitimize the family business are increasingly complicated by the actions of his rivals and his own family. As his personal and business worlds collide, Michael must decide what is most important in his life: family or business. In the end, Michael's decision will ultimately determine his fate and the fate of the Corleone family.